Irish doctor wanted in U.S. on child sex abuse charges

An Irish doctor living in Ireland is wanted in Florida in connection with numerous sex offenses against young children.

The U.S. is seeking the extradition of Irish-born Dr. David West, 54, also known as Dr. Rory Doyle with addresses in both Co. Dublin and Co. Kildare.

A High Court in Dublin heard on Monday that West fled Florida in 2001, before he was due to stand trial on charges of child sex offenses.

West told the court that he legally changed his name in 2004 to “give himself a fresh start.”

After spending time working as a doctor in the U.K, West got a job in Ireland in 2004. He told the court that he earned around $66,300 as a doctor in Ireland, where he trained, a lot less than he was making in Florida.

On July 20, 2000, the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida arrested West on charges of committing lewd and lascivious acts on two minor females in 1994, 1995 and 2000. Five days later, he was released from custody after posting $100,000 bail, and absconded shortly after. He was due to stand trial on August 14, 2001, in the Circuit Court in Florida.

West was charged with one count of first-degree felony, lewd or lascivious molestation of a child less than twelve years of age who was a patient of his, and two counts of second-degree felony, as well handling and fondling of a child under the age of 16.

A patient, only known at “CP,” said that West molested her on at least four occasions between 1994 and 1995, when she was aged between 13 and 14. West denies all accusations brought against him.

If extradited to the U.S from Ireland, he faces up to 65 years in jail.

The Irish State opposed bail for West citing the “serious nature of the offenses” and the “strength of evidence” against him in the U.S.

However, Judge Michael Peart granted West bail on the conditions that he report daily to the Irish police in Dublin, surrender his passport, and that he post bail of $133,000.

West’s lawyer told the court that as soon as his client learned about the extradition proceeding, he immediately traveled back to Ireland from abroad. He also apparently met with the Irish police and informed the Irish Medical Council, the governing body for doctors in Ireland, that he would attend the extradition hearing.